Playing card dispenser



Jan. 31, 1967 J. w. ROCKWELL PLAYING CARD DISPENSER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. 22, 1965 FIG. 3-

ATTORNEY Jan. 31', 1967 J.w. ROCKWELL 3,301,388

PLAYING CARb DISPENSER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fil'ed Oct. 22 1965 INVENTOR.(fi l/V155 l/l/ RUCK h/[ZL BY w/ ATT 0 J n- 1 67 J. w. ROCKWELL3,301,388

' PLAYING CARD DISPENSER 3 Sheets-Shet 3 Filed Oct. 22, 1965 INVENTOR.JA/WS w Roam/[14 RM W Bu/= 1 ATTORNEY United States Patent 01 3,301,388PLAYING CARD DISPENSER James W. Rockwell, Minneapolis, Minn., assignorto Standard Packaging Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporationof-Virginia Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 502,182 1 Claim. (Cl.20644.12)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements for storing decksof playing cards and dispensing same on a self serving basis at thepoint of sale.

Playing cards are now sold through a number of different retail salesoutlets such as Stationers, tobacco stores, drug stores, super markets,department stores and the like. Usually the decks of cards are displayedand stored on or in conventional store shelves, display cases,conventional playing card racks and other similar display devices orfixtures. In making a sale of playing cards the most frequent procedureis to have the purchaser point out his selection .of cards in a displaycase and the retail store clerk will secure the selected type of cardsfrom the case or a storage area behind the case. Sales of playing cardsmay also be made by requiring thepurchaser to select and .pick up a deckof cards from a display rack'or stand and then take the cards over to acashier to make the necessary payment. The attendant disadvantage ofthese usual forms of sale is that the dealer must allocate aconsiderable amount of store space to display and provide storage forthe cards. Often a store clerk is necessary to retrieve the selectedcards from storage.

The present invention eliminates these difficulties as it provides (1) aunique and compact storage carton or oartridgethat requires a verylimited amount of space and (2) a self service feature allowing thepurchaser to remove the selected decks of cards from the device and paya cashier or clerk for the purchase.

The principal object of this invention is, therefore. to provide aplaying card dispenser that is compact in nature; stores severalpackaged decks of playing cards; has a self-service dispensing feature;and can be easily and economically manufactured.

Other objects inherent in the structure described, pictured and claimedwill become more fully apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends this inventionwill be described with reference to the drawings which illustrate it.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the device showing the cartridgedisposed in operative position within the frame and partially loadedwith decks of playing cards;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the inner surface of the cartridge blankprior to assembly;

FIGURE 3 is a rear perspective view of the cartridge partiallyassembled;

FIGURE 4 is a front perspective view of the cartridge completelyassembled and partially loaded with decks of playni-g cards; and

FIGURE 5 is a front perspective view of the frame without the cartridgeseated therein.

As seen in FIGURE 1, the device comprises a frame generally designatedwhich sup-ports a storage cartridge generally designated 11. The lowerportion of frame 10 has a platform generally designated 12 whichsupports the cartridge 11 and coacts with the cartridge for easy,removal of a deck of playing cards as explained below.

As seen in FIGURE 2, cartridge 11 is formed from a blank 13 die cut tothe format shown in the drawing. Blank 13 has a series of panels formedby a plurality of score lines so that the blank may be folded into anassembled position to form the cartridge 11. It is to Patented Jan. 31,1967 "ice be understood that the die cutting and the formation of thescore or fold line may be easily produced and manufactured on standardbox and carton forming equipment. As shown by the broken lines in FIGURES l and 4, cartridge 11 holds a plurality of packaged decks ofplaying cards. The cards are horizontally disposed in the cartridge in astacked relationship, one deck positioned above the other. The cartridgeis manufactured in the required height for holding the desired number ofcard decks. The interior dimensions of the cartridge 11 is approximatelythe same as the overall peripheral dimensions of the packaged decks ofcards that are to be placed in the cartridge for dispensing.

The actual construction blank 13 comprises a bottom panel formed byscore lines 15, 16 and 17. Side panels 18 and 19 are formed contiguouswith the respective scores 15 and 17 and lie adjacent each side ofbottom panel 14.

Referring further to FIGURE 2, a series of four panels are formedadjacent and above the side panel 19 by score lines. These panelscomprise an overlapping rear panel 20 formed contiguous with the righthand edge of side panel 19 and separated therefrom by score 21. Alongthe left hand edge of side panel 19 is a front panel 22, formed by meansof score 23. The third panel in this series consists of an overlappingside panel 24 formed contiguous with front panel 22 by means of score25.

The upper edge of side panel 19 has a truncated partial closure panel 26formed by score 27. Panel 19 also has a diamond die cut aperture 28 cutout of the panel so that when cartridge 11 is assembled and loaded withdecks of playing cards the number of cards remaining in the car tri'dgecan be ascertained. This feature will be explained below.

Included in this series of panels is a pair of locking tabs 29 and 30formed along the outer edge of panel 24 by means of the respectivescores 31 and 32. Also overlapping panel 20 has a cut out portion 39aalong the die cut edge adjacent the center portion of blank 13. The cut39a assists in mounting cartridge 11 on frame 10 as hereinafterexplained.

Still referring to FIGURE 2, a second series of panels are disposedadjacent the side panel 18. This second series of panels comprise rearpanel 33 on the right hand side of panel 18 and joined thereto by score34. Also included is a closure panel 35 joined to the lower edge ofpanel 18 by score 36 and an adhesive flap 37 of triangular configurationjoined to the right hand side of closure panel 35 by score 38.

To assist in mounting cartirdge 11 on frame 10 the die cut edge of rearpanel 33 adjacent the center portion of blank 13 has a U-shaped cut out39 that mates and corresponds with cut 3 9a on panel 20 when the blankis assembled. It is also to be noted that two locking tab apertures 40and 41 are disposed along the score 34 for receiving respectively tabs30 and 29 when blank 13 is assembled.

Bottom panel 14 has an adhesive flap joined to its right hand edge alongscore 16. Similar to flap 37 this flap is also of triangularconfiguration and is herein designated as adhesive flap 42. The score 16joins flap 42 to panel 14. Score 1 6 has an elongated aperture 43 diecut through the blank to receive locking means which are integral withframe 10 to hold cartridge 11 in place when mounted on the frame.

It is to be noted that the blank is die cut in U-shaped configurationalong the left hand edge 14a of panel 14 and 18 and the lower edges ofpanels 19, 22 and 24 facing the center of the blank. This configurationforms the delivery opening for removal of playing cards when the blankis assembled.

Assembly of the blank is best understood from viewing FIGURES 2-4. Withrespect to FIGURE 3, first the right hand series of panels (panels 19,20, 22 and 24) are folded to a vertical position along score 17. Second,the left hand series of panels, (panels 18, 33, 35 and flap 37) arelikewise folded along the score line 15. Thus the two series of panelsadjacent bottom panel 14 are now in position vertically with respect topanel 14. Next panels 22 and 24 are folded along their respective scores23 and 25 so that front panel 22 is disposed vertically over the edge14a of bottom panel 14 and panel 24 is brought around in overlappingrelation with the now vertically disposed side panel 18. Rear panel 33is folded generally inward along its score 34 and likewise overlappingrear panel 20 is folded along score 21 so that it is in overlappingrelation with rear panel 33. In this position rear panels 20 and 33 aredisposed substantially vertically over score 16. Closure panel 35 is nowfolded partially over the assembly along score 36 and adhesive flap 37is folded down along score 38 in a substantially vertical position sothat it is in a generally overlapping position with respect to the upperportion of rear panels 20 and 33. At this point the blank is now in theposition seen in FIGURE 3.

It is seen in this position that cut outs 39a and 39 of the respectiverear panels 20 and 33 overlap each other in mating relationship toprovide a void above aperture 43 so that the two rear panels will notinterfere with the cartridge anchoring means on frame 10. To completeassembly panel 24 is folded in a tight overlapping relationship withrear panel 1 8 and locking tabs 29 and 30 are inserted into theirrespective locking apertures 41 and 40. Tabs 29 and 30 may be bent alongtheir respective scores 31 and 32 to fit tightly against the innersurface of rear panel 33 and secured thereto by an adhesive if desired.Partial rear panel 20 is also tightly folded in overlapping relationwith rear panel 33. Next the partial closure panel 26 is folded at rightangles along its score 27 and the closure panel 35 is brought down overit to close the top of the cartridge. If it is desired to seal thecartridge shut, an adhesive may be applied to either of panels 26 or 35in their respective overlapping areas. It is to be understood that if aconsiderable amount of opening and closing is desired a more suitablemeans for closing panels 26 and 35 may be used.

To hold cartridge 11 in the assembled position, adhesive is applied tothe inner surfaces of the flaps 37 and 42 that contact the rear panels20 and 33. Flap 37 is brought down along score 38 in an overlappingrelation and secured to panel 33 and 20 by means of the adhesive.Likewise flap 42 is folded vertically up along score 16 in a similarover-lapping relation and secured to panel 33 and 20. The overlappingrelation of the two adhesive flaps 37 and 42 over rear panels 20 and 33hold and tightly secure the cartridge in its fully assembled positionwhich is shown in FIGURE 4. Outside of sealing the closure panel 35 itis not necessary to use an adhesive in any place except flaps 37 and 42to hold the cartridge 11 in assembled position.

As seen from FIGURE 4, a delivery opening 44- formed by the U-shaped dieout along the edge 14a and panels 19, 22 and 24 position an open spacealong the bottom of the assembled cartridge so that purchaser can graspthe lowermost deck of cards and draw it out. Also, the aperture 2 8provides a sight through side panel 17 into the chamber of thecartridge. Usually the sides of decks of playing cards inside of thechamber will be seen through the aperture 28. However, when all but twodecks are dispensed, the blank interior of the cartridge will 'bevisible indicating a refill or a new fully packaged cartridge isnecessary.

Turning now to the frame which supports cartridge 11 the device may bemade of metal or thermoplastics. The frame, as best seen in FIGURE 5comprises a'vertical member 45. Two eyelets 46 and 47 are formed throughthe surface of member so that the frame 10 may be supported on a wall orthe like in conventional manner by wood screws positioned in the neckportions of eyelets 46 and 47. Member 45 also has a cartridge anchoringdevice formed integral with the member and comprising a supporting stud48 extending out at right angles to member 45 and a lip 49 extendingupward at right angles from stud 48. Lip 49 protrudes through aperture43 of cartridge 11 when the latter is placed on frame 10 thus preventingany forward movement of the lower portion of cartridge 11.

A supporting platform 12 is provided on the same plane as stud 48. Thisplatform is of box like configuration and is formed integrally with thelower portion of frame 10 to support cartridge 11 as well as the frame10. It also provides a delivery surface for decks of cards beingdispensed. The platform 12 comprises vertical walls 50 and 51 and afront wall 52 integrally joined to each other and to the lower portionof member 45. Walls 50-52 support member 45 in vertical position andalso support a delivery wall 53 along their upper edges. Wall 53 formsthe delivery platform and the base to support cartridge 11. To hold theupper portion of cartridge 11 securely in position there is provided aseries of plates 54 and 55 joined together by front plate 56. Theseplates form a ring adjacent the forward surface of member 45 and whencartridge 11 is lowered onto wall 53 to the posit-ion shown in FIGURE 1the plates hold the upper part of the cartridge in place in the frame10.

In operation, packaged decks of playing cards 57 are horizontally placedin stacked relationship within cartridge 11 by opening the closurepanels 26 and 35. 'Panels 26 and 35 are then sealed shut. The fullyloaded cartridge is lowered down through the rings formed by plates 54,55 and 56 onto the supporting wall 53 of platform 12. In lowering thecartridge it is readily understood that lip 49 is inserted intoapertures 43 adjacent bottom panel 14 of the cartridge so that the lipwill prevent any forward motion of the bottom of the cartridge overdelivery wall 53. The dispenser may now be placed on a supporting wallby means of eyelets 46 and 47 or merely disposed upright over anysuitable flat supporting surface. It is now ready for operation. Thepurchaser merely grasps the lowest deck of cards 57 which appears in thedelivery opening 44 and draws the deck out of the cartridge and over theforward portion of delivery wall 53. At this point the packaged deckstacked immediately above the delivered deck will fall into deliveryposition and appear in the opening 44. This latter deck is now ready tobe dispensed for the next sale. To assist in the selection of cards,reproductions of the design of the card backs and packages may beprinted on the cartridge.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this inventionmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thespecific embodiments described are given by way of example only and theinvention is limited only by the terms of the following claim.

What is claimed is:

A device for dispensing individual decks of playing cards comprising avertically disposed elongated member; a plurality of plates integralwith said elongated member and extending outwardly therefrom forming aring at one end of said elongated member; a box member integral withsaid elongated member and disposed at the end opposite said ring formingplates, said box member having a horizontal planar delivery wallextending out from said elongated member in registry with the ringformed by said plates, the horizontal planar delivery wall havingvertical side and end wall s'depending therefrom for supporting saiddevice on a flat surface; and a cartridge having a bottom panel, aseries of side, front and closure panels adjacent said bottom panelforming an enclosure contiguous with and over the bottom panel, theside, front and bottom panels of said cartridge having a cut-out portionforming a delivery opening at the end of the cartridge formed 'by saidbottom panel; said cartridge being disposed in said elongated member invertical position parallel thereto and through the ring formed by saidplates, the bottom panel of said cartridge being supported by anddis-posed over the planar delivery wall of said box member positioningthe delivery opening of said cartridge contiguous with and over theplanar delivery wall, whereby deoks of playing cards may be drawn out ofthe delivery opening and out over said planar delivery wall.

6 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/ 1928 Genest22146 5/ 1934 Einson;

l/1939 Chaney 206--44.12

1/1956 Ryan 206-44.12 X 11/ 1960 Johnson.

7/ 1965 Hatcher 248-311 X FOREIGN PATENTS 3/1957 Great Britain.

LOUIS G. MANC ENE, Primary Examiner.

